Seven Oaks

Divisional Plan

Professional Learning Funding provided by Manitoba Education - Please provide details below

1) To date, how have you used the money your division received for K-8 teachers' LwICT professional learning in 2008-09 and 2009-10?
Grant monies received from MECY are placed into the Divisional General Fund. In 2007/2008 128 sub-release days were allocated to support teachers’ LwICT professional learning. In 2008/2009 a joint SOTA/Division PD Fund was implemented through which teacher’s gain access to PD funding for a variety of opportunities. In the fall of 2009 Seven Oaks School Division hosted Dr. Tim Tyson who spoke to about 200 educator’s and students on the theme of ‘Making Significant Contributions in the 21st Century’. This event was open for all Manitoba Educator’s to see and hear Dr. Tyson from a number of School Division in Winnipeg and Manitoba. He also worked with Seven Oaks students and teachers in hands-on sessions relating his experience in using videos in classrooms and through a school wide Video Festival. Subsequently, Seven Oaks has added a video/multimedia tent to its showcase in its biannual ‘Arts in the Park’ event planned for 2009 which will extend over several days. Additional support for teachers has been provided through full staff in-services led by the Divisional Team Leader Educational Technology. Schools also release teachers for PD opportunities relating to teaching and learning with ICT using School based PD Budgets. In both the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 school years, an initiative to provide Division Music teachers with Macintosh computers, electronic keyboards and specialized music software was initiated to integrate with the new Arts Curriculum. Subsequent Professional Development has been undertaken for two consecutive years and we see exciting opportunities ahead for more PD in this area.

2) What professional learning is occurring now because of this extra funding that you previously were unable to do?
The Seven Oaks School Division has purchased Smart technology for several classrooms and we are looking forward to increasing teacher professional development using this technology. The LwICT initiative has provided an overall framework to help organize and focus discussions on professional learning opportunities. The funds will help to continue moving towards Literacy goals for all students.

3) Does your division have any strategies for ongoing professional learning (For example: Professional Learning Community - online, face-to-face, mentors, etc?)
A new position was created in the division (Director of ICT) to implement the roll out of our new SharePoint divisional website, coordinate divisional ICT activities, manage our ICT budget, and collaborate with teachers to infuse ICT into the curriculum. Also, a divisional ICT team was created and fill with a representative from every school in the division and from every professional group (library techs, teachers, admin, tech support). Additional meeting time has been built into the schedules of some schools to enable teachers to meet and share ideas and learning. We have a content managed system for sharing and storing information electronically via the web. At this time we are exploring SharePoint technologies as a next step to integrate and connect electronic information throughout the Division. This represents a major step that will involve a new way of doing things electronically. In addition, a monthly meeting of school representatives provides opportunities to share face-to-face and discuss areas of concern that inform all schools of directions, initiatives and resources.

4) What successful strategies would you like to recommend to other divisions?
Our divisional ICT committee has been broken down into subcommittees, and each group has been charged with taking control of a particular aspect of ICT in the division to improve efficiency. Each school has also identified a contact to act as a mentor to teachers in the school and act as a line of communication between teachers and divisional administration. Grafting in new practices on established competencies while providing opportunities for teacher’s to choose their PD opportunities helps teachers to move forward and take risks. Teacher’s have an integral and important role in all aspects of teaching and learning with ICT and need to be part of an ongoing discussion in a variety of settings. We are exploring new technologies (Macintosh computers and MIDI equipment with music teachers and SmartBoard technologies). Moving forward slowly but consistently is part of our experience. Our division reports primarily through anecdotal comments with reports that are designed at each school.

For more information, please contact..... michael.pohorily@7oaks.org

Report Card Samples

5) How often do you report on Literacy with ICT during the school year?
Teachers report formally through anecdotal comments without performance indicators. Minimally, this would mean once during the year, although this hasn’t been specified. Teacher’s also report as a normal course of practice through a variety of other means – class newsletters, notes, meetings and other conversations.

6) Which grades are reporting on Literacy with ICT?
All students at K-8 are included through anecdotal comments as noted above.

7) When does the reporting occur?
Reports are communicated to parents in three report cards with corresponding students-teacher-parent conferences.

• Fall (September - December)
• Winter (January - March)
• Spring (April - May)
• Final Report (June)

8) What feedback have you received from parents regarding reporting of Literacy with ICT?

9) In certain circumstances, a child may have more than one teacher. How would/do your teachers report on a child's literacy with ICT in this circumstance? Please discuss with your divisional team and record some possible strategies to address this issue.

10) If there have been changes to your divisional statement of belief on reporting on LwICT, since last year, upload or insert the text below.

For more information, please contact..... michael.pohorily@7oaks.org

Transition to Senior Years

Thoughts on Literacy with ICT transition to the Senior Years

Ongoing support for K-8 teachers